This is Don Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA's Typepad Profile.
Join Typepad and start following Don Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA's activity
Join Now!
Already a member? Sign In
Don Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA
Hiawassee, GA
Owner & Managing Partner of Wiederholt & Rickert Partners, LLC, (DBA) Don Rickert Research & Design and its subsidiaries
Interests: I am a Professional Industrial Designer and experienced Patent Litigation Expert Witness. Expertise in Product Design, Design Research, User Interface Design, New Product Development (NPD),Human-Factors-Ergonomics and Human-Computer Interaction. More than 30 years' experience as thought-leader, researcher, designer/inventor and manager in research, product design and product development for the technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, retail, medical, entertainment, musical equipment, musical instrument and banking industries, as well as others. Currently, I am the Managing Partner (Owner) of Wiederholt & Rickert Partners, LLC, a unique New Product Development, User Research, Design Research & Patent Litigation Expert Services firm, serving a variety of industries and product types. The firm generally does business under the names Don Rickert Research & Design™, Rickert Expert Group™ and Don Rickert Musical Instruments™ (DBA).
Recent Activity
Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Podcast: First episode to post week of March 19, 2023
Image
Yeah, I know that I said that it would launch on March 17. What with some instrument completion deadlines and St. Patrick's Day stuff, it is going to be delayed by a few days. My bad! Stay tuned. Happy St. Patrick's Day 2023! Continue reading
Posted 3 days ago at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Our New Podcast and YouTube Channel: Cool Instruments for Hep Cats
Image
I am launching a new podcast and YouTube show, “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”. It will be available, both as an audio podcast, as well as a video version on YouTube. Initially, the audio podcast will be available on Spotify, with the other usual channels to follow. Interviews with guests... Continue reading
Posted Mar 2, 2023 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Donald Rickert is In the March/April 2023 Issue of Strings Magazine
Image
I (Don Rickert) am in the March/April issue of Strings Magazine! I am honored to have been one of several experts interviewed for the article, A Pocket Full of Sound, by Karen Peterson in the March/April 2023 issue of Strings Magazine (No. 311, March/April 2023). I wish I could share... Continue reading
Posted Feb 28, 2023 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Celebrating 10 Years of Gangnam Style - Way to Go, Psy!
Image
Originally known in Korea, not as a K-pop artist, but as a controversial and satirical hip-hop artist, Psy (slang for “psycho” – real name, Park Jae-sang) achieved international fame in 2012 with the music video to his humorous pop song “Gangnam Style”. Psy is considered to be the first K-pop... Continue reading
Posted Feb 28, 2023 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Offbeat Songs for Cool Cats: New Podcast From D. Rickert Musical Instruments
We just launched our new podcast, Offbeat Songs for Cool Cats, just in time for Christmas 2022. Below are links to play Episode 1, Parts 1 and 2 via Spotify. We aim to post an episode every 2 weeks. The next is scheduled for on or about January 5, 2023.... Continue reading
Posted Dec 28, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Do You Really Need a Violoncello da Spalla?
Image
You might find it strange that I am asking this question. After all, I am a luthier who makes violoncellos da spalla. Should I not just be happy when someone wants me to make one for them? Donald Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA Email: don@donrickertdesign.com Phone: (706) 896-0909 (main); (706) 400-1481 (mobile)... Continue reading
Posted Oct 28, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Almost Half of a Violin: What is That???
Image
We have introduced a new violin design, which we are calling the “Quasi-Mezzo Violin”, at least until we decide to call it something else. Taken literally, “Quasi-Mezzo Violin” would indeed refer to “almost half of a violin” in Italian. That would be pretty funny. In reality, the colloquial meaning of... Continue reading
Posted Oct 27, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
New Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert: 4-String, 5-String and Octave Violin Versions
Image
Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. The Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Don Rickert is an... Continue reading
Posted Oct 25, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
The Mezzo Violin: One Way to Achieve Deeper Timbre with Outstanding Projection
Image
Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort dreaming about and seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. As Darol Anger colorfully put... Continue reading
Posted Oct 25, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Introducing the Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Luthier Donald Rickert: Details
Image
Here are some details about the new Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert. The instrument is available in 4-string, 5-string or Octave Violin configurations. Email: don@donrickertdesign.com Phone: 706-896-0909; 706-400-1481 (mobile) What Is It? I will get in to the specifics, including its name, forthwith. But first, I will tell you what... Continue reading
Posted Oct 24, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
The Truth About the Current State of the Custom Musical Instrument Business
Image
Introduction The image is not a new musical instrument but a faucet. If you continue you will understand I make my living making very good custom musical instruments, including: Violoncellos da Spalla Octave Violins Travel Violins Octave Mandolins Citterns Mandocellos I would very much like to sell you one. If... Continue reading
Posted Sep 12, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Back in the Saddle Again! (And the Economics of Attention)
Image
First, thank you for your valuable attention. This will make sense if I can hold on to your attention for a few more minutes. In the words of Aerosmith: I'm back I'm back in the saddle again I'm back I'm back in the saddle again Man, nobody can screech our... Continue reading
Posted Sep 2, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Rickert & Hale, Luthiers to Vend at the Hoppin' John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention 2022
Image
Rickert Musical Instruments will be showing one of its Violoncellos da Spalla, as well as many other great instruments at Hoppin’ John 2022. Our new venture, Rickert & Hale, Luthiers, will have lots of instruments to show and try out as well, including at least one of their new octave mandolins. Rickert Musical Instruments (bowed strings), together with its partner, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (mandolin family and guitars), will once again be showing finished and in progress instruments at the 2022 Hoppin’ John Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention. The festival will take place September 15-17, 2022 at the Shakori... Continue reading
Posted Aug 28, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven
Image
If you don’t know what a violoncello da spalla is, click here for a description. The short explanation is that it is a very small 5-string cello that is suspended by a shoulder strap and played across the chest more or less under the chin, as shown in the image... Continue reading
Posted Aug 27, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
D. Rickert Musical Instruments Will Be a Vendor at Hoppin' John 2022.
Image
D. Rickert Musical Instruments will be showing one of its Violoncellos da Spalla at an upcoming festival in the Southeastern US. D. Rickert Musical Instruments (bowed strings), together with its partner, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (mandolin family and guitars), will once again be showing finished and in progress instruments at... Continue reading
Posted Aug 25, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
International Strange Music Day 2022
Image
Do you have a taste for the bizarre when it comes to music? Well, I sure do! Well, today is our day, International Strange Music Day (August 24, 2022). Here is a snippet from the website, www.daysoftheyear.com. “For those who have a tendency to lean toward the unique and bizarre,... Continue reading
Posted Aug 24, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
One Last Opportunity to Own a Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model.
Image
This article announces what amounts to discontinuation of the Standard Model Violoncello da Spalla and the introduction of the Standard Model Plus. That being said, as of today 9-9-2022, there are still two Standard Models, which cost just under $10,000, available. one of these is about 2/3 complete, so there... Continue reading
Posted Jul 4, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Sessioneer Spartan Bouzouki by Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (Full Product announcement)
Image
This article is also published at www.rickertandhale.com. Ordering Information While semi-standardized, each Sessioneer Bouzouki is built for the individual buyer, at least for now. If you wish to discuss buying one of these instruments, give us a call or send an email. Looking forward to talking! Phone: 1-706-896-0909 Email: Don@DonRickertDesign.com... Continue reading
Posted Jul 2, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Sessioneer Spartan Bouzouki by Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (Full Product announcement)
Image
Ordering Information While semi-standardized, each Sessioneer Bouzouki is built for the individual buyer, at least for now. If you wish to discuss buying one of these instruments, give us a call or send an email. Looking forward to talking! Phone: 1-706-896-0909 Email: Don@DonRickertDesign.com Note: If you are a highly-skilled player with a history of high-quality videos on YouTube, we are open to discussing a discounted price in exchange for demonstration videos of our instruments. Let’s agree up front that there will be no hurt feelings. I mean, I am a player, but at nowhere near the skill level necessary for... Continue reading
Posted Jul 1, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
What Makes the Difference Between Pretty Good and Great Acoustic Stringed Instruments?
Image
This article is also published on www.RickertandHale.com. Introduction Before I start, what are the criteria for judging the sound quality of musical instruments? I hope that the reader can agree that this is largely subjective, and often, culturally relative. Take the Great Highland Bagpipe. That there are two kinds of... Continue reading
Posted Jul 1, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
What Makes the Difference Between Pretty Good and Great Acoustic Stringed Instruments?
Image
Introduction Before I start, what are the criteria for judging the sound quality of musical instruments? I hope that the reader can agree that this is largely subjective, and often, culturally relative. Take the Great Highland Bagpipe. That there are two kinds of people in the world; those who love the bagpipes and those who hate them has been attributed to many, including, as I recall, Winston Churchill. Many of us love (at least in limited doses) the uillean pipes; however, I have known many Irish, meaning those who actually live in Ireland, who refer to them as “rat-chasers”. Finally,... Continue reading
Posted Jul 1, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
Tap-Tuning Note: Rickert and Hale Bouzoukis and Octave Mandolins
Image
Tap-tuning is an art (grounded in science) that is shrouded in mystery. While some luthiers tap-tune only by ear, computer-assisted tap tuning allows the luthier to actually see a computer-generated frequency spectrum graph when muting a specific spot on the plate (e.g., top or back). Computer-assisted tap tuning has only been possible for a few decades. Until very recently, it was too expensive for most luthiers, as the software required used to cost many thousands of dollars. Finding the correct spot to mute is way beyond our scope here. There are known “ideal” fundamentals (i.e., note perceived by the human... Continue reading
Posted Jul 1, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
A Few Construction Photos of NEW Sessioneer Bouzouki by Rickert and Hale
Image
We are Rickert & Hale, Luthiers, a collaboration between me (Donald Rickert) and fellow luthier, Dr. Jesse Randy Hale of J. Hale Guitars. Now, after more R&D time than I would have ever imagined, we are readying our actual “first articles” to evaluators in the Western U.S. and in Nashville, TN. We set out to design and build the BEST bouzouki possible, employing materials and design elements that have been plausibly related (by us and others) over the years to superior sound and playability. The Sessioneer Spartan Bouzouki—Our initial Offering The Sessioneer Spartan is a relatively small-bodied (< 14”) traditional... Continue reading
Posted Jun 19, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
Photos of NEW Sessioneer Bouzouki by Rickert and Hale
Image
We are Rickert & Hale, Luthiers, a collaboration between me (Donald Rickert) and fellow luthier, Dr. Jesse Randy Hale of J. Hale Guitars. Now, after more R&D time than I would have ever imagined, we are readying our actual “first articles” to evaluators in the Western U.S. and in Nashville, TN. We set out to design and build the BEST bouzouki possible, employing materials and design elements that have been plausibly related (by us and others) over the years to superior sound and playability. The Sessioneer Spartan Bouzouki—Our initial Offering The Sessioneer Spartan is a relatively small-bodied (< 14”) traditional... Continue reading
Posted Jun 19, 2022 at Rickert and Hale, Mandolin Family Instruments
Comment
0
Announcing the NEW Standard Plus Model Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert
Image
If you have decided to acquire a professional level violoncello da spalla, you should pay attention to this! Email: don@donrickertdesign.com Phone: 706-896-0909 Effective May 30, 2022, we are offering the NEW Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model. This new model supersedes its predecessor, which was called the “Standard Model”. This... Continue reading
Posted May 31, 2022 at Don Rickert Musical Instruments
Comment
0
Subscribe to Don Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA’s Recent Activity
The Typepad Team
View all »
Ciaran
miss zhong
sara jane
coachk
James Osborne
fellytone
View all »
1 Favorites
Blogs and Sites
Around The Web